FROM THE FLINT PUBLIC LIBRARY:
Meet the Divine 9: African American Sororities and Fraternities
Flint Pubic Library
Saturday, February 5, 3-5 p.m.
Historically African American Greek-letter fraternities and sororities were founded on college campuses to provide service to the community. The Flint Public Library and the National Pan-Hellenic Council of Flint present "Meet the Divine 9." The nine historically Greek-letter African American fraternities and sororities who are informally and collectively known as the Divine 9; Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Iota Phi Theta Fraternity Inc., Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc., Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc., and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Hear how six of the local alumni chapters of these service organizations of college educated men and women impact our community in areas from youth development, education, scholarship, health awareness to social action, Saturday, February 5, 3-5 p.m. at the Flint Public Library, 1026 E. Kearsley St., Flint.
Sylvester Jones is the president of the National Pan-Hellenic Council of Flint. According to Jones, "We want the community to know and understand that these Greek-letter organizations are making a huge impact on our community through their programs, services, youth groups and scholarships. They are making an impact individually and we also make an impact collectively." Jones also notes "Because we are service organizations we are encouraging the community to bring non-perishable items which we will be donating to the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan." On the panel will be six presidents of local alumni chapters.
Representing Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Zeta Beta Omega Chapter will be its president, Barbara Johnson. AKA was founded at Howard University in 1908 and is the oldest Greek-letter organization founded for African American college-educated women. The Zeta Beta Omega Chapter was founded here in Flint in 1953. Locally the chapter is known for its Ivy House, the Ivy Closet, and its youth group the Akettes. Recently AKA helped decorate Nina's Place, a transitional living facility at the local YWCA.
Isaiah M. Oliver, president of Epsilon Upsilon Lambda Chapter will represent Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. The Alphas were founded at Cornell University in 1906. The Epsilon Upsilon Lambda Chapter was founded here in Flint in 1953. The Alphas are known locally for their Esquire Leadership and Mentoring program, their ML King Program and their golf outing to benefit their scholarship fund.
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Flint Alumnae Chapter is represented by its president, Sharon F. J. Sawyer. Delta was founded at Howard University in 1913 and the Flint Alumnae Chapter was founded in Flint in 1954. Delta is locally known for its youth groups the Dr. Betty Shabazz Delta Academy for girls 11-14 and its Delta GEMS program (Growing and Empowering Myself Successfully) for girls 14-18. Delta is also known for its work in social action, community service and its Rebecca Louise Robinson Scholarship Fund. Recently Delta has established a relationship with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Flint.
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc., is represented by Dr. Vlenaetha Stewart, president of the Zeta Beta Zeta Chapter here in Flint. Zeta was founded in 1920 at Howard University and its local chapter was founded in 1959. Zeta is known for its youth group the Zeta Archonettes, its Finer Womanhood Award and program, and its public service.
Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc., Flint Alumni Chapter is represented by its Polemarch, Charles Montgomery. Kappa was founded 1911 at Indiana University, its local chapter was founded in 1947. Kappa is known for its male youth group the Kappa Leadership League, its mentoring through Big Brothers Big Sisters and scholarship fund-raisers. This past Thanksgiving Kappa gave away 100 Thanksgiving baskets.
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Omicron Rho Chapter is represented by its Basileus, Edward Payne. Omega was founded at Howard University in 1911. It is the first national African American fraternal organization founded at a historically black college. Its local chapter was founded in Flint in 1964. Omega is known for its support of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), the United Negro College Fund (UNCF), and their support of the Flint Area Education Foundation (FAEF).
Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc., Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., and Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., do not have active local alumni chapters. However, in addition to the panel discussion, there will be an exhibit on display during the month of February at the Main Library on the second floor. The exhibit will feature displays from all nine members of the National Pan-Hellenic Council. For more information call 232-7111.
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